Lakota School Board votes to put levy on ballot

Voters in the Lakota School District will be deciding whether to approve a levy in November. The board of education voted Monday moring to place a 5.5 mill combination levy on the ballot. 3.5 mills would go for operating expenses and 2 mills for permanent improvements.

The district says $6.3 million to improve security at its schools and $13.5 million for a multi-year technology upgrade are major components of the request. The security spending would include tripling the number of police officers in the district's schools as well as physical changes to school buildings.

Lakota's last millage increase was eight years ago. The district says in a statement it's now spending $20 million less per year than it did in 2010 and has balanced its budget.